Heel lock

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a novel method for protecting and preserving the life of a shoe. The invention preserves the heel section by preventing typical degradation caused by repeated compression of the heel section by allowing the user to insert his or her foot into the rear of the shoe.

BACKGROUND A. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates to footwear, particularly children'sfootwear, having a detachable heel portion that hinges on the forwardportion of the shoe creating a ‘door-like’ character element that allowsthe user to slide his or her foot into the shoe from the rear, asopposed to a traditional shoe which requires foot entry through anopening on the top of the shoe, preserving the heel portion of the shoe.

B. Background

Every year, adults spend millions of dollars on shoes for themselves andtheir children. Individuals purchase new shoes for a number of reasons,including but not limited to, outgrowing a previous pair, purchasing anew style, purchasing shoes for a special occasion or event, or simplybecause the old pair have worn out. With respect to the last issue, onerecurring theme that every shoe owner has faced is the rapiddeterioration of the heel portion of the shoe. This typically occursover the course of the life of the shoe each and every time the personputs on or removes his or her shoe. This repeated action constantlyrequires that the person press the heel of his or her foot on the backof the shoe in an attempt to safely secure the shoe on his or her foot,compressing the heel section of the shoe repeatedly. Over the course ofseveral weeks and months, the heel of the shoe has undergone dozens ofcompressions, leading to the deformation of the heel. Not only does thisalter the look of the shoe and increase the wear and tear, it alsobecomes uncomfortable to the person, forcing them to purchase anotherpair of shoes.

The Heel Lock Design not only preserves the shape of the heel and shoe,it prevents the painful heel scrub that comes with the deformation ofthe heel, extending the life of a pair of shoes exponentially.Additionally, neuropath victims could access a fit within his or hershoe whereas without this feature, the pain may make wearing shoesimpossible. The Heel Lock Design accompanies the naturally shape of thefoot, and allows the user to comfortably slide his or her foot into therear shoe without affecting the heel while also providing the same tightcomfortable fit of traditional shoes.

SUMMARY

The problems described above are addressed by the Heel Lock Designdescribed in this disclosure, although it is to be understood that notall such problems will be solved by every embodiment of the shoe.

An aspect of the invention is a shoe comprising: (a) a sole; (b) adetachable heel; (c) an upper portion; (d) a securing component; and (e)a connecting component; wherein the user opens the detachable heel byunlocking the securing component and the detachable heel rotates alongthe X-axis via the connecting component. This opening allows the user toinsert his or her foot snuggly into the shoe without deforming the heel.The user can then close the heel portion of the shoe to return the shoeto its normal configuration by locking the securing component.

The foregoing presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. Thissummary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify keyor critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presentedlater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: A side view of the shoe depicting the medial portion of theshoe.

FIG. 2: A side view of the shoe depicting the lateral portion of theshoe.

FIG. 3: an overhead view of the shoe depicting the shoe in the “locked”stage.

FIG. 4: an overhead view of the shoe depicting the shoe in the “open”stage.

FIG. 5: an overhead view of the shoe depicting the shoe in the “open”stage with a user inserting his or her foot into the shoe.

FIG. 6: an overhead view of the shoe depicting the shoe in thetransitioning from the “open” state to the “closed” stage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure. It will be furtherunderstood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the specification andshould not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein. Well known functions or constructions maynot be described in detail for brevity or clarity.

It will be understood that when a feature or element is referred to asbeing “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the otherfeature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also bepresent. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being“directly on” another feature or element, there are no interveningfeatures or elements present. It will also be understood that, when afeature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or“coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected,attached or coupled to the other feature or element or interveningfeatures or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directlyattached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there areno intervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another when theapparatus is right side up.

The terms “first” and “second” are used herein to describe variousfeatures or elements, but these features or elements should not belimited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish onefeature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a firstfeature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature orelement, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed belowcould be termed a first feature or element without departing from theteachings of the present disclosure.

With reference to the use of the words “comprise” or “comprises” or“comprising” in the foregoing description and/or in the followingclaims, unless the context requires otherwise, those words are used onthe basis and clear understanding that they are to be interpretedinclusively, rather than exclusively, and that each of those words is tobe so interpreted in construing the foregoing description and thefollowing claims.

The term “consisting essentially of” means that, in addition to therecited elements, what is claimed may also contain other elements(steps, structures, ingredients, components, etc.) that do not adverselyaffect the operability of what is claimed for its intended purpose asstated in this disclosure. Importantly, this term excludes such otherelements that adversely affect the operability of what is claimed forits intended purpose as stated in this disclosure, even if such otherelements might enhance the operability of what is claimed for some otherpurpose.

The terms “about” and “approximately” shall generally mean an acceptabledegree of error or variation for the quantity measured given the natureor precision of the measurements. Typical, exemplary degrees of error orvariation are within 20 percent (%), preferably within 10%, and morepreferably within 5% of a given value or range of values. Numericalquantities given herein are approximate unless stated otherwise, meaningthat the term “about” or “approximately” can be inferred when notexpressly stated.

The term “medial” refers to the inner side of a user's foot, commonlyreferred to as a user's “instep”. Additionally, the term “lateral”refers to the outer side of a user's foot, e.g. on user's left foot, theterm “lateral” would describe the left side of his or her foot. This isalso known as the “outstep”.

B. Heel Lock Shoe

A Heel Lock Shoe is provided. The shoe allows an individual to place hisor her foot into a shoe without any incidental compression of the heel.The user first unlocks the securing component and rotates the detachableheel toward the medial portion of the shoe. At that moment the shoe isaccessible through the opening created by removing or rotating the heel,allowing the user to easily slide his or her foot into the shoe. Oncethe user's foot is comfortably placed inside the shoe, the user willrotate the detachable heel in the opposite direction and secure thesecuring component.

PROPHETIC EXAMPLE

The preferred embodiment of the disclosed device 1 is comprised of athree shoe components: a sole 2, a heel 4 and an upper portion 3 of theshoe. On the claimed shoe, instead of a rigid heel section, commonlyfound on most shoes, the heel 4 is detachable so as to allow the user toinsert his or her foot and preserve the shape of the heel 4. Despitebeing detachable, the heel 4, while in its locked position, covers theuser's foot from the sole 2 to the height desired by the shoemanufacture. The sole 2 is made of a material such as rubber or the likeand runs the length of the bottom of the shoe. Likewise, the upperportion 3 of the shoe 1, too, is designed or configured subject to thespecification of the manufacturer's desire. The upper portion 3 may becomprised of the following elements, including, but not limited to, amedial 7 and lateral 8 section, a tongue 13, a toe section 12, shoestrings 14, and a detachable heel 4.

The heel portion 4, while in the “locked” position takes on the shapeand appearance of an apparatus designed to secure the user's foot in theheel portion with the ability to detach from the lateral section 8 ofthe upper portion 3 of the shoe 1. The portion of the heel 4 that isdetachable takes on a substantially U-shape with a medial end 10 and alateral end 9. While in the “locked” position, the lateral end 9 isattached to the lateral portion 8 via a detachable securing component 5.The securing component 5 may be in the form a Velcro strap, a snap lock,snap buttons, or the like, so long as the component 5 secures thelateral portion 8 to the lateral end 9 of the heel 4 and the user canmanually detach the component 5.

The lateral end 9 is detachable from the lateral portion 8 of the uppersection 3 while the medial end 10 is permanently affixed to the medialsection 7 of the upper portion 3, allowing the user to open the heel 4in the fashion of a door along the hinges. This feature is accomplishedby first securing the heel portion 4 to the medial section 7 of theupper portion 3 of the shoe 1 with a connecting component 6. Theconnecting component 6 functions as a connecting device that permanentlyaffixes the heel 4 to the upper portion 3 of the shoe 1. This preventsthe user from misplacing the heel 4. The connecting component 6 may bein the form of a hinge, or simply a material or device capable ofallowing the heel portion 4 to rotate along the vertical axis of themeeting point between the medial end 10 of the heel portion 4 and themedial portion 7 of the upper section 3. In alternative embodiments, theheel portion 4 may be detachable on both the lateral end 9 and medialend 10 creating a fully detachable heel 4.

Once the individual is ready to place the shoe 1 on his or her foot,first, he or she must manually unlock the securing component 5. Once theindividual unlocks the securing component 5, he or she must open theheel portion 4 by rotating the heel portion 4 along the meeting point ofthe medial end 10 of the heel portion 4 and the medial section 7 of theupper portion 3 of the shoe. Once the opening 11 is large enough for theuser, the user may insert his or her foot into the shoe 1 until snugglyfit. Once the user has fully inserted his or her foot, he or she mustrotate the heel portion 4 along the vertical axis of the meeting pointbetween the medial end 10 and the medial section 7 of the upper portion3 of the shoe 1 until the lateral end 9 of the heel 4 meets the lateralsection 8 of the upper portion 3 of the shoe 1. Once the lateral section8 of the upper portion 3 of the shoe 1 meets the lateral end 9 of theheel portion 4, the user may lock the securing component 5.

It should be noted that the securing component 5 and connectingcomponent 6 may be located on either the lateral 8 or medial 7 end solong as opposite end is permanently affixed to allow rotation.

C. Conclusions

It is to be understood that any given elements of the disclosedembodiments of the invention may be embodied in a single structure, asingle step, a single substance, or the like. Similarly, a given elementof the disclosed embodiment may be embodied in multiple structures,steps, substances, or the like.

The foregoing description illustrates and describes the processes,machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings ofthe present disclosure. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describesonly certain embodiments of the processes, machines, manufactures,compositions of matter, and other teachings disclosed, but, as mentionedabove, it is to be understood that the teachings of the presentdisclosure are capable of use in various other combinations,modifications, and environments and is capable of changes ormodifications within the scope of the teachings as expressed herein,commensurate with the skill and/or knowledge of a person having ordinaryskill in the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove arefurther intended to explain certain best modes known of practicing theprocesses, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and otherteachings of the present disclosure and to enable others skilled in theart to utilize the teachings of the present disclosure in such, orother, embodiments and with the various modifications required by theparticular applications or uses. Accordingly, the processes, machines,manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the presentdisclosure are not intended to limit the exact embodiments and examplesdisclosed herein. Any section headings herein are provided only forconsistency with the suggestions of 37 C.F.R. § 1.77 or otherwise toprovide organizational queues. These headings shall not limit orcharacterize the invention(s) set forth herein.

I claim:
 1. A shoe wherein the individual may insert his or her footinto the shoe from the rear of the shoe, comprising: a sole, an upperportion, a detachable heel, a connecting component, and a securingcomponent; wherein the upper portion has a lateral section and a medialsection; wherein the detachable heel has a lateral end and a medial end.2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral end of thedetachable heel is connected to the lateral section of the upper portionvia the connecting component.
 3. A shoe as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe medial end of the detachable heel connects to the medial section ofupper portion via the securing component.
 4. A shoe as claim in claim 3,wherein the detachable heel rotates along the meeting point of thelateral end of the detachable heel and the lateral section of the upperportion to create an opening.
 5. A shoe as claimed in claim 4, whereinthe user may insert his or her foot into the opening.
 6. A shoe asclaimed in claim 5, wherein, the detachable heel rotates until themedial end of detachable heel meets the medial section of the upperportion of the shoe and is secured by the securing component.
 7. A shoeas claimed in claim 1, wherein the medial end of the detachable heel isconnected to the medial section of the upper portion via the connectingcomponent.
 8. A shoe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lateral end ofthe detachable heel connects to the lateral section of upper portion viathe securing component.
 9. A shoe as claim in claim 8, wherein thedetachable heel rotates along the meeting point of the medial end of thedetachable heel and the medial section of the upper portion to create anopening.
 10. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user may inserthis or her foot into the opening.
 11. A shoe as claimed in claim 10,wherein, the detachable heel rotates until the lateral end of detachableheel meets the lateral section of the upper portion of the shoe and issecured by the securing component.
 12. A method for securing anindividual's foot within a shoe wherein an individual inserts his or herfoot into the shoe from the rear of the shoe, comprising: a sole, anupper portion, a detachable heel, a connecting component, and a securingcomponent; wherein the upper portion has a lateral section and a medialsection; wherein the detachable heel has a lateral end and a medial end.13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the lateral end of thedetachable heel is connected to the lateral section of the upper portionvia the connecting component.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 13,wherein the medial end of the detachable heel connects to the medialsection of upper portion via the securing component.
 15. A method asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the user detaches the medial end of theheel from the medial section of the upper portion by disconnecting thesecuring component to create an opening.
 16. A method as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the user inserts his or her foot into the opening. 17.A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the user reconnects the medialend of the heel to the medial section of the upper portion byreconnecting the securing component to secure the user's foot.